THe Kingdome of England hath received Miriads of re­freshments, by the blessings of God upon the Parliaments indevours; which are of high value, however wretched men (like Saul) may throw their Javelins against their Worthies; and giddy-brain'd Malignants, (like Corah and his company) oppose them to their owne destruction.

But let Digbey and Legge, and all the Malignant crew of Sanballets, practise their craft, and stir up their Legions, yet God will finish what he hath determined to do by his Worthies, for the glory of his name, to the joy of good men, and terrour of all opposers. The benifits already received by this Par­liament, are many, and great, though the burdens of the King­dome be not yet quite removed, and may answer sweetnes to every sorrow, under which the people, at present, groan. As,

I. Concerning the King, (because some tax the Parliament to be hard towards Him) consider,

1 Six Subsidies were granted to His Majesty, to win his af­fections to his people, amounting to 300000 li.

2 A Bill of Pole-money was passed, and collected, amount­ing to as great a sum as those Subsidies, for the safety and se­curity of the Kingdome, that is also 300000 li.

3 To constitute a Peace between the King and the Scots, when his Majesty had ingaged against them, without the ad­vice of Parliament, and against the mindes of his people: A debt was contracted to them of 220000 li. Besides

4 The charge of the English Army, which were, in that in­gagement, his Majesties Arms, and all the Commanders under contract with him, at greater rates than ordinary, which cost the Kingdome above 50000 li. per mensem.

5 Which with the 300000 li. given to the Scots, for bro­therly [Page 2] assistance & the rest of the charges, amounted to 1100000l.

6 Besides his Majesty had received Marchandine Impositi­ons, at the least 400000li.

7 The Parliament have often sent to the King, since he went from them, to desire his Majesty to return to his Parliament, & they would make him, if he would joyn with them for setl­ing the peace, & security of the kingdom, a great & rich Prince.

8 They have had many Treaties with the King, wherein they have onely tendred such things, as tend to the settlement of the kingdom, to be made into wholesome Laws, and yet his Majesty hath refused to passe them.

9 They have still been tender of his Majesties Honour (in all submissive manner owning him for their King, notwith­standing the raising of forces against them, and laid the fault thereof upon his Councellors.

10 Since all his Majesties Forces have been totally defea­ted, and subdued, the Parliament hath sent severall times to his Majesty, to desire him to passe the Propositions for both kingdoms, as at Newcastle, and at Holdenboy, and yet he hath, though personally under the power of the Parliament, refused to do it

11 His Majesty hath had his own Chaplains, and others whom he hath desired about him, since he was under the pow­er of the Parl. though they have been disaffected to the Parl.

12 Upon his Majesties desire to Treat with the Parliament the Houses have assented, provided that his Majesty would only have passed foure Bills, that were essentially necessary for the peace and security of the kingdom.

Besides many other actions of the Parliament, of great affections, and tender­nesse to his Majesty.

II Concerning Parliaments, they have sought the good of the People in them, As appeares, In that

1 The Dissolution of this Parliament is prevented by a Bill, by which it is provided, That it shall not be dissolved, nor ad­journed, without the consent of both Houses. That so all the [Page 3] grievances of the kingdome may be relieved.

2 The discontinuance of future Parliaments is prevented, by the Bill for them to be Trienniall. That so corrupt Councellors, Judges and Magistrates may be removed, and passe under the lash of Justice, by often Reformation: And all the burdens of the kingdom be eased, by a perpetuall spring of Remedies.

3 The House of Commons protected the five Members de­manded by the K. with about 500 souldiers, papists, & others, because his Majesty did not legally proceed against them.

4 The 12 Bishops were committed to the Tower, for protest­ing against the proceedings of the Parl. in their absence, as if they, by their power, could controle that great Court.

5 When his Majesty left the Parliament, and the Lord Dig­by, Lunsford, and others had gathered Horse and men to joyn with him, for raising of a War against the Parl. The Houses sent Orders to the Sheriffes of the severall Counties in Engl. and Wales, to call to their assistance, the Justices of the Peace, and Trayned Bands, to prevent the War intended by the King, whereby the destruction of the Parliament was prevented.

6 They have many of them lost a great part of their estats, in defence of the kingdome: and some have been slain in the Wars, whereas it was in their power to have complyed with the King against the City of London, and the well-affected people of the Land, to whom they have stuck for defence of their Rights, which had they betrayed, as others that left the Parliament, to adhere to his Majesty, by letting the Cause fall, they might themselves have been advanced to great for­tunes.

7 They have even denyed their own Callings, and Do­mestick businesses to serve the publique, to a great prejudice to many of the Members.

8 They have indevoured to satisfie all the Interests in the kingdom, to those who have not betrayed their Liberties.

9 They have not spared their own Members, that have pro­ved [Page 4] Trecherous to the kingdom, as may appear by beheading of Sir John Hotham, and the execution of Justice upon others, and their generall Votes against all those, who have betrayed the trust of the kingdom, reposed in them.

10 They have denyed their own Priviledges, for good of the People, as appears by the late Order of the House of Com­mons, for giving power to all to prosecute against any of their estates, in an ordinary course of Law, for debts.

11 The house of Commons have chosen a large Commit­tee, who sit daily in the Star-Chamber, to consider of grievan­ces which shall be presented, and draw up Ordinances to pre­sent to the House for remedies against them.

12 They are resolved, in all their debates, to consider all wayes for the setling of a firm and lasting peace, to make the kingdom rich, and happy. Justice to be executed, and every one to injoy their just Rights.

III To that complaint of some, against the Sessements of the 60000 li. a month for pay of the Army, and other smaller Taxes, by Ordinance of Parliament, Con­sider on the other side that

1 They have abolished Ship-money, which was, by his Majesty taxed upon the kingdom, amounting to 20000 li. a Moneth.

2 They took away the Coat and Conduct money, which was by the King, taxed upon the kingdom, with other Military Equipage, the value of which, had it continued here, as in other parts, could not amount to lesse then 10000 li. a Moneth.

3 Monopolists are supprest, and their Pattents, which were granted by his Majesty under the great Seal of England, made null, which whilst they were in force, drew a vast sum of mo­nies from the people. And could not amount to lesse then

• Prejudice by the Sope Pattent 10000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Moneth.
• Prejudice by the Wine Pattent, 30000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Moneth.
• Prejudice by the Leather Pattent, 40000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Moneth.
• Prejudice by the Salt Pattent, 40000 li. a month In all 1400000 li. a Moneth.
• Prejudiced by other Patte. above 200000 li. a month. In all 1400000 li. a Moneth.

[Page 5]4 The plundering and insa [...]iate Cavaliers; and Irish Rebels, who live upon prey, and hoped to have gotten the City of London, and all honest mens estates, that adhered to the Parli­ment, are subdued, and the kingdome rescued from those great burthens, which through their violence and cruelty, it was forced to bear; which, together with that which the Parlia- was forced to raise, for defence of the kingdom against them, could not amount, in all, to lesse then 400000 li. a moneth.

5 So soon as other provisions can be made, for pay of the publique debts, and the kingdom be brought into a condition to be setled, without such Assesments, and Taxes, they will be totally taken off.

6 Before the defeat given at Nazeby, it would have been thought an happy contract, if it could have been assured, to have purchased a Peace at so easie a Rate, as the kingdomes Assesments are now.

IV. The Parliament is so farre from inslaving the people, or prejudicing the Subjects Liberties, That

1 It is Declared, by the judgement of both Houses, and also by an Act of Parliament, That the Arbitrary power, pre­tended to be in his Majesty of taxing the Subjects, or charg­ing their Estates (without consent of Parliament, is against Law.

2 Justice hath been done upon the Earle of Strafford, and the Arch-Prelate of Canterbury, and Charges brought in against others of his Majesties Councell, who put the King upon this way of trampling upon the peoples Liberties.

3 In all their Declarations and Votes concerning this particu­lar, they have given assurance to the people of vindicating, and clearing their just Liberties and Freedomes.

V However some unreasonable Horseleeches, never have enough but still cry out against Courts, and Magistrates, after so great a Reformation, established by the Parliament, yet let such blush to re­member, That

[Page 6]1 The Parliament have put down the cruell and oppressing Courts of Star-chamber, the High-Commission, the Courts of the President, and Councell in the North: and freed the Sub­ject from all such Tyranny as was practised daily by them.

2 The power of the Councell Table is provided for, to be so moderated, that the publique Liberty of the people may not be prejudiced thereby, against the Lawes of the Kingdome, and Priviledges of the Subject.

3 The Bishops Cannons, and the power of their Convoca­tion Courts are blasted, and made null, and (themselves being abolished) all their Tyrannicall Judicatures put downe, and the Subjects Liberties vindicated from further slavery under them.

4 The Forrests are by a good Law reduced to their right bounds. The encroachments and oppressions of the Stannary Courts. The extortions of the Clerke of the Market, and the compulsion of the Subject to receive the order of King-hood a­gainst his will, paying of fines for not receiving it, and the vexatious proceedings thereupon for levying of those fines (are by beneficiall Lawes) reformed, and prevented.

5 The Court of Wards and Liveries is voted down. Which hath beene the ruine of many thousands in this Kingdome.

6 An Ordinance is under debate for taking away the Of­fice for Tenths & First fruits to the great case of the Ministery:

7 All Courts in the Kingdom are either reformed or check­ed, so that they cannot oppresse the people without being in danger of the lash of the Parliament.

8 All Committees and other intrusted by the Parl. must be called to an account, and bee made liable to answer to any charge that shall be exhibited against them for miscariages.

9 If any Member of Parliament have received any bribe, for any businesse depending in Parliament upon informati­on thereof, he is to suffer severely.

10 In any publique grievance, the Subject may have pre­sent remedy by the Parliament.

[Page 7] VI. And although some (who are as blind as beetles in the wayes of God) cry out, that there is no Religion setled, And that we are now worse then ever we were; yet they might consider. That.

1. Episcopacy (which, as it was setled in England, was a continuall tormentor of godly Protestants) is abolished.

2. The Popishly by effected Clergy [who were daily bring­ing into the Church fresh Innovasions from the Church of Rome, to exterpate the Protestant Religion, are cast out with their trumpery.

3. Divers Ministers, who have been scandalous in their lives, And popish in their Doctrine, have been suspended, and put out of their places. And other honest godly Ar­thodox Divines placed in their stead.

4. The Assembly of Divines have sat constantly, since they were called. And in matters concerning Religion, have often brought in their humble advice to the Parliament; And in all things tending to the propogation of the Gos­pell of Jesus Christ, (both they and all other godly Mini­sters) have had all possible encouragement and assistance from the Parliament, And the truth of God is preached with great freedom: so that if people be unsetled in their Judgements, it is their own faults, to live without know­ledge under the meanes.

5. The chiefest differences amongst us now are [...]t cir­cumstantialls, whereas before the Parliament sat, Popery trampled upon the very fundamentalls of the Protestant Religion, especially in the Kings Chappell, and other emi­nent places of worship; And although there are Heriticks amongst us, as must be in all parts of Christendom, yet they are neither considerable, nor publikely tollerated.

[Page 8]6 The truth of God was never preached more clearly, and gloriously since the Apostles time, (it is the Judgement of many very eminent Christians) in any part of the world, then it is now in this Kingdom, And that is the reason that so many errours are discovered, though simple ignorant people do not know it.

7 The Houses have passed an Ordinance for the severall Counties in the Kingdom to be drawn into Classes, that so there may be a speedy setled Church-Discipline through the Kingdom.

8 An Ordinance is drawing up by a Committee, for the punishing of Heresie and Blasphemy.

9 All respect (that the word of God will beare) is had to tender Consciences; for the propogation of the Gospell of the Lord Jesus Christ.

10 Both Houses have passed an Ordinance for repaire of Churches, and paying Church duties, with penalties impo­sed on the refusers.

11 The House of Commons fit every Fryday upon the setling of the Church, and have almost finished the Confes­sion of Faith.

12 All possible meanes are used for the propogation of the Gospel, of the Lord Jesus Christ.

VII. And though poore distressed Ireland suffer under the Rebels yet the Parlia­ment have been dilligent to relieve those groaning Protestants, And to that end.

1. Have often sent them supplyes of men and monies.

2. Called the Scots for brotherly assistance therein, and contracted great summes for their pay, for so doing.

3. The Spanish Embassadour was sent to for the stay of Dunkirk Ships, and other prevention made to hinder supply from going to the Rebels.

[Page 9]4. The Parliament, hath severall times at the begining of the Wars, sent supylyes of Clothes and Victualls, to re­lieve the Protestant Irish, some of which supplyes, of suites of Clothes, stockings, and other provisions, designed for them, were taken for the Kings forces.

5. They have every year carefully provided Ships, and supplyes for a guard for the Irish Seas; which have much impeaded the Irish Rebels, in their designes.

6. They have intrusted the transactions of affaires in that Kingdom, in the hands of such honest, and able men, as from time to time, have given a good accompt thereof.

7. They have not only passed votes, and appointed o­thers to assist Ireland; but divers Members of the Parlia­ment, have themselves disbursed large summes towards the worke.

8. Though the King and his party have had severall Trea­ties, and agreed to severall Cessations, and peace with the Rebels: yet the Parliament would never adhere to them, in the least measure, to give them any advantage against the poore Protestants of that Kingdom.

9. Through Gods blessings upon their endeavours, the Rebels, from a great strength are now brought low.

10. They are now about an Ordinance, for asesment for 20000. l. per mensem, to be sessed through the Kingdom of England, and themselves to bear an equall proportion, for the vigorous prosecution of the Warre against the Irish Rebels.

VIII. And their care hath been great, for the safety of the City of London, as ap­pears in that.

1. They refused to comply with the King, against the City, before the late Warres.

[Page 9]2. They prevented the designe of the Army, that went a­gainst the Scots, from coming against the City.

3. When Lunsford, was Lieutenant of the Tower, A Mes­sage was sent to the King, to remove him, and after him, Sir John Byron, both great enemies to the City of London, and at a dangerous time, because his Majesty had then left the City, and the Parliament.

4. And after that, the Houses passed in Ordinance for the safe Guard of the Tower, and the City of London, under the Command of Maj. Gen. Skippon.

5. At all times the Houses have been ready to give all assistance that might be, for the safety, and preservation thereof.

6. They have been alwayes tender to maintain the Li­berties, and just rights of the City.

7. They have intrusted no persons in the Kingdom of England, so much as the Cityzens of London.

8. They have alwayes had a great respect to answer the City to all just, and lawfull desires, that they have put up to the Parliament.

9. Though the King invited them to come to him to Oxford, and that many Members of both Houses did go and comply with His Majesty against the City of London; yet they have stayed, and not disserted them.

10. The Houses have (when Commissioners have been chosen to treate with the King) sent to the City to present their desires, to be sent with the Propositions from the Houses, and the Kingdom of Scotland; for the vindicating, and clearing of the Priviledges, and just Rights of the City.

IX. And however some have charged the Parliament, and still would blemish them, [Page 10] as if they delight in Warre, and would not have Peace, they may blush at their impudence, and consider that.

1. When His Majesty left them, and went to Windsor, and contracted forces, they sent severall Petitions to him, to pray him to returne to his Parliament. And desired his Majesty if he had any Charge against the five Members, to send it to the Houses, and they would proceed in a legall Tryall, and make Inquisition if any thing could be proved against them.

2. They have had severall Treaties with His Majesty, and made very great offers to him; but could not be concurred with.

3. Since the Kings forces have been totally suppressed, they have made severall addresses to His Majesty; but could not be answered with His Majesties Concurrence to what they have presented for the safe [...]y, and peace of the King­dom.

And for further satisfaction herein, consider these follow­ing papers.